Guidebook for Vancouver

Vivian
Guidebook for Vancouver

Food Scene

Favourite restaurants
This place is only 5 min walk from our house. It has delicious Korean shaved milk desserts. Very cozy inside. Gets busy in the evenings on the weekends.
34 locals recommend
Passion8 Dessert Cafe
3010 Cambie St
34 locals recommend
This place is only 5 min walk from our house. It has delicious Korean shaved milk desserts. Very cozy inside. Gets busy in the evenings on the weekends.
Celebrity Chef ViJ has his new restaurant only 5 min walk from our place. I just went there last night for dinner with friends for a birthday dinner. Delicious. ViJ comes around and greets each table. Servers come right away with a cup of hot Chai Tea, and an appetizer to try. The restaurant opens at 5:30pm. On Friday and Saturday nights you will see people lined up from 5pm to make sure they get a seat. At 5:45pm, i noticed that you could still get a table. Highly recommended. Excellent indian food. Ambiance is very nice.
264 locals recommend
Vij's
3106 Cambie Street
264 locals recommend
Celebrity Chef ViJ has his new restaurant only 5 min walk from our place. I just went there last night for dinner with friends for a birthday dinner. Delicious. ViJ comes around and greets each table. Servers come right away with a cup of hot Chai Tea, and an appetizer to try. The restaurant opens at 5:30pm. On Friday and Saturday nights you will see people lined up from 5pm to make sure they get a seat. At 5:45pm, i noticed that you could still get a table. Highly recommended. Excellent indian food. Ambiance is very nice.
Authentic Lebanese Food and sweets. I can honestly say this is pretty close to food in Lebanon. On Friday and Saturday nights will have to wait if you get there at 6pm.
7 locals recommend
Paramount Fine Foods
560 Robson St
7 locals recommend
Authentic Lebanese Food and sweets. I can honestly say this is pretty close to food in Lebanon. On Friday and Saturday nights will have to wait if you get there at 6pm.
High end Japanese Food. Expensive but worth it. Excellent view of the Canada place harbour and north shore mountains. If it's sunny out get a table on the deck.
169 locals recommend
Miku Vancouver
200 Granville St
169 locals recommend
High end Japanese Food. Expensive but worth it. Excellent view of the Canada place harbour and north shore mountains. If it's sunny out get a table on the deck.
Excellent French bakery. Very small place. But if it's sunny you can go to the park which has a playground across the street. Excellent croissants, baked goods, sandwiches, coffee.
81 locals recommend
Beaucoup Bakery
2150 Fir St
81 locals recommend
Excellent French bakery. Very small place. But if it's sunny you can go to the park which has a playground across the street. Excellent croissants, baked goods, sandwiches, coffee.
Vietnamese cuisine. Comtemporary. Great food and ambiance.
132 locals recommend
Anh And Chi
3388 Main St
132 locals recommend
Vietnamese cuisine. Comtemporary. Great food and ambiance.
Vegetarian Vietnamese food. Very delicious!
46 locals recommend
Chau Veggie Express
5052 Victoria Dr
46 locals recommend
Vegetarian Vietnamese food. Very delicious!
Authentic Vietnamese food. Some different things on the menu that you wouldn't find in other Vietnamese restaurants.
9 locals recommend
Hoi An Cafe
5002 Victoria Dr
9 locals recommend
Authentic Vietnamese food. Some different things on the menu that you wouldn't find in other Vietnamese restaurants.
This place is a restaurant, has good mussels, and other pub grub. It has outdoor seating as well. It is 2 minute walk from our house. I come here once a month to meet up with the other moms from my children's preschool. I believe they have a childrens menu during the day.
91 locals recommend
BierCraft Bistro
3305 Cambie St
91 locals recommend
This place is a restaurant, has good mussels, and other pub grub. It has outdoor seating as well. It is 2 minute walk from our house. I come here once a month to meet up with the other moms from my children's preschool. I believe they have a childrens menu during the day.
A good evening out for the family. Cheap China made goods. The food stalls are good.
191 locals recommend
Richmond Night Market
8351 River Rd
191 locals recommend
A good evening out for the family. Cheap China made goods. The food stalls are good.
Excellent breakfast restaurant also for lunch. The eggs benedicts are awesome! Service is excellent.
Breakfast Table
3014 Granville St
Excellent breakfast restaurant also for lunch. The eggs benedicts are awesome! Service is excellent.
Great Thai place for quick thai food for eat in or take out.
14 locals recommend
Thai Away Home
3315 Cambie St
14 locals recommend
Great Thai place for quick thai food for eat in or take out.
Great restaurant with delicious food. North American, pacific coast type of food. Nice décor. delicious desserts. Lunch and dinner.
Honey Salt
39 Smithe St
Great restaurant with delicious food. North American, pacific coast type of food. Nice décor. delicious desserts. Lunch and dinner.
Delicious homemade ice cream and waffle cones. Recommend the blueberry balsamic vinegar ice cream. Other favourites are the lemonade ice cream.
130 locals recommend
Rain or Shine Ice Cream
1926 W 4th Ave
130 locals recommend
Delicious homemade ice cream and waffle cones. Recommend the blueberry balsamic vinegar ice cream. Other favourites are the lemonade ice cream.
High end restaurant at Parq place, by JW Marriot hotel downtown. The food is great, and they have some good Sunday night or Monday night specials.
11 locals recommend
Victor
39 Smithe St
11 locals recommend
High end restaurant at Parq place, by JW Marriot hotel downtown. The food is great, and they have some good Sunday night or Monday night specials.
This organic food market is down the street from us, about 9 blocks down hill.
726 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
510 W 8th Ave
726 locals recommend
This organic food market is down the street from us, about 9 blocks down hill.

Sightseeing

This is a must see while in Vancouver. If you get a chance, rent a bike or rollerblades and ride around the seawall of Stanley park. Great Scenery. Restaurants along the way and beach. Catch the sunset at the end of the day.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Rd
2658 locals recommend
This is a must see while in Vancouver. If you get a chance, rent a bike or rollerblades and ride around the seawall of Stanley park. Great Scenery. Restaurants along the way and beach. Catch the sunset at the end of the day.
This is an area under the Granville street bridge on the south side. Has a public market that sells fresh fruit vegetables, food stalls, plants. Art galleries, restaurants, cafes, small artisan stores, community centre and hotel also on Granville island. From Granville island you can rent a boat to tour around false creek and Vancouver harbour yourself. You can also take a water taxi to get to the other side , downtown.
470 locals recommend
Granville Island Public Market
1689 Johnston St
470 locals recommend
This is an area under the Granville street bridge on the south side. Has a public market that sells fresh fruit vegetables, food stalls, plants. Art galleries, restaurants, cafes, small artisan stores, community centre and hotel also on Granville island. From Granville island you can rent a boat to tour around false creek and Vancouver harbour yourself. You can also take a water taxi to get to the other side , downtown.
Tulip Festival. Drive is about 1 hr 1/2 to get there. Other stuff to do in Chilliwack if you are there. Water Slides. Lake,
11 locals recommend
Chilliwack Tulip Festival (Tulips of the Valley)
5039 Royalwood Dr
11 locals recommend
Tulip Festival. Drive is about 1 hr 1/2 to get there. Other stuff to do in Chilliwack if you are there. Water Slides. Lake,
Drive from Vancouver is about 1 hour away.
6 locals recommend
BLOOM, Abbotsford Tulip Festival
37117 N Parallel Rd
6 locals recommend
Drive from Vancouver is about 1 hour away.
Steveston Village in Richmond is a Fishing Village, that has little shops, restaurants, a Cannery museum, and when the fish are biting you can buy fresh fish from the fisherman that come in with their daily catch.
114 locals recommend
Steveston Harbour
3820 Bayview St
114 locals recommend
Steveston Village in Richmond is a Fishing Village, that has little shops, restaurants, a Cannery museum, and when the fish are biting you can buy fresh fish from the fisherman that come in with their daily catch.
This area of downtown past Chinatown, has cobble stoned streets, neat light fixtures, Eclectic shops, tourist shops, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. The steam clock is here. Very touristy because it is close to the Cruise Ship terminal.
1068 locals recommend
Gastown
1068 locals recommend
This area of downtown past Chinatown, has cobble stoned streets, neat light fixtures, Eclectic shops, tourist shops, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. The steam clock is here. Very touristy because it is close to the Cruise Ship terminal.
Summer time. Take a gondola up the mountain. At the top there are lumber jack shows, see the resident grizzly bears, Restaurant. Hiking trails and zipline. If you are fit, you could hike up the mountain, The hiking trail is called the Grouse Grind. Very difficult, don't brink anything but lots of water. will take you over an hour to hike up.
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene Way
1038 locals recommend
Summer time. Take a gondola up the mountain. At the top there are lumber jack shows, see the resident grizzly bears, Restaurant. Hiking trails and zipline. If you are fit, you could hike up the mountain, The hiking trail is called the Grouse Grind. Very difficult, don't brink anything but lots of water. will take you over an hour to hike up.
You can rent some bikes or rollerblades and go for a bike ride or rollerblading around Stanley Park. Takes about 1 hour. or walk around stanley park on the sea wall which takes about 2.5 hours. You can also drive around the park.
12 locals recommend
Stanley Park Drive
Stanley Park Drive
12 locals recommend
You can rent some bikes or rollerblades and go for a bike ride or rollerblading around Stanley Park. Takes about 1 hour. or walk around stanley park on the sea wall which takes about 2.5 hours. You can also drive around the park.

Arts & Culture

Tuesday entrance fee from 5-9pm is by donation. Great location right downtown, next to the shopping mall.
1154 locals recommend
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby St
1154 locals recommend
Tuesday entrance fee from 5-9pm is by donation. Great location right downtown, next to the shopping mall.
Lots of First Nation artifacts. Great place to visit on a rainy day. Also at University of BC so it is a nice walk to the campus and explore. Last thursday of each month 5-9pm is $10.
502 locals recommend
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine Dr
502 locals recommend
Lots of First Nation artifacts. Great place to visit on a rainy day. Also at University of BC so it is a nice walk to the campus and explore. Last thursday of each month 5-9pm is $10.
Great for rainy day, or if you are at UBC. Not a big museum so can go through it pretty fast. Usually $10-$14 but on the 3rd Thursday of the month, Beaty Nocturnal is open by donation from 5-8:30pm. or check groupon to see if there are any groupon specials.
22 locals recommend
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
2212 Main Mall
22 locals recommend
Great for rainy day, or if you are at UBC. Not a big museum so can go through it pretty fast. Usually $10-$14 but on the 3rd Thursday of the month, Beaty Nocturnal is open by donation from 5-8:30pm. or check groupon to see if there are any groupon specials.
FREE
119 locals recommend
Burnaby Village Museum
6501 Deer Lake Ave
119 locals recommend
FREE
Admission by donation last Thursday of each month 5-8pm. Great for kids and youth.
144 locals recommend
Museum of Vancouver
1100 Chestnut St
144 locals recommend
Admission by donation last Thursday of each month 5-8pm. Great for kids and youth.

Shopping

Underground mall on robson and granville street. Under the Nordstrom department store and connects to Holt Renfrew and the Bay.
571 locals recommend
CF Pacific Centre
701 W Georgia St
571 locals recommend
Underground mall on robson and granville street. Under the Nordstrom department store and connects to Holt Renfrew and the Bay.
Largest Mall in the lower mainland. This is located in Burnaby, a city beside Vancouver. Can take the skytrain directly there. It is about 30 min from Vancouver by car. 20 min by sky train. Has everything in this mall, including theatre, groceries, department store, food court.
290 locals recommend
Metropolis At Metrotown
4700 Kingsway
290 locals recommend
Largest Mall in the lower mainland. This is located in Burnaby, a city beside Vancouver. Can take the skytrain directly there. It is about 30 min from Vancouver by car. 20 min by sky train. Has everything in this mall, including theatre, groceries, department store, food court.
Large Mega Grocery Store that has everything you need including clothing, toys, housewares, pharmacy. I typically shop here for my big shopping trips. Prices are good.
125 locals recommend
Real Canadian Superstore
3185 Grandview Hwy
125 locals recommend
Large Mega Grocery Store that has everything you need including clothing, toys, housewares, pharmacy. I typically shop here for my big shopping trips. Prices are good.
This is our neighourhood grocery store, located at King Edward and Oak Street. It is 5 min drive from our house. Has all groceries including deli and pharmacy.
23 locals recommend
Safeway King Edward
990 W King Edward Ave
23 locals recommend
This is our neighourhood grocery store, located at King Edward and Oak Street. It is 5 min drive from our house. Has all groceries including deli and pharmacy.
Local toy Store. If you need to buy a toy gift for someone. this place is 5 min from our house.
13 locals recommend
Kaboodles Toy Store
3404 Cambie St
13 locals recommend
Local toy Store. If you need to buy a toy gift for someone. this place is 5 min from our house.
This is our local Outdoors equipment and clothing store. For all outdoor activity gear including camping, biking, jogging, mountain climbing, kayaking. They sell everything to do with outdoor sports. You need to be a member, but it only costs $5 for a lifetime membership. This is similar to the USA REI store. You can also shop online at MEC.com
51 locals recommend
MEC Vancouver
111 E 2nd Ave
51 locals recommend
This is our local Outdoors equipment and clothing store. For all outdoor activity gear including camping, biking, jogging, mountain climbing, kayaking. They sell everything to do with outdoor sports. You need to be a member, but it only costs $5 for a lifetime membership. This is similar to the USA REI store. You can also shop online at MEC.com
This is the place for all the designer stuff - LV, Celine, Valentino, Balenciaga, Chloe, etc.
204 locals recommend
Nordstrom Pacific Centre
799 Robson St
204 locals recommend
This is the place for all the designer stuff - LV, Celine, Valentino, Balenciaga, Chloe, etc.
This is the other high end shopping for all your designer clothes and shoes.
111 locals recommend
Holt Renfrew
737 Dunsmuir St
111 locals recommend
This is the other high end shopping for all your designer clothes and shoes.

Essentials

This is our local drug store that has everything that you may have forgotten at home, medicine, diapers, shampoo, make up and food. Located across cambie street at 16th Ave. 5 min walk from our house. Open til 10pm
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer St
692 locals recommend
This is our local drug store that has everything that you may have forgotten at home, medicine, diapers, shampoo, make up and food. Located across cambie street at 16th Ave. 5 min walk from our house. Open til 10pm
This is our local Organic Grocery store. It is a 10min walk from our house. Located at 19th ave and Cambie street. 60% organic food products. love this place cause its so close.
398 locals recommend
Choices Markets
1202 Richards St
398 locals recommend
This is our local Organic Grocery store. It is a 10min walk from our house. Located at 19th ave and Cambie street. 60% organic food products. love this place cause its so close.

Parks & Nature

Bird Sanctuary
22 locals recommend
George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
5191 Robertson Rd
22 locals recommend
Bird Sanctuary
Water Fall on the way to Squamish, BC. Nice easy short hiking trail to the falls.
83 locals recommend
Shannon Falls
83 locals recommend
Water Fall on the way to Squamish, BC. Nice easy short hiking trail to the falls.
Zoo. It's about 45 minute-1 hour drive.
71 locals recommend
Greater Vancouver Zoo
5048 264 St
71 locals recommend
Zoo. It's about 45 minute-1 hour drive.
If you are in town for the fireworks, this is the place to be. Rent a bike or rollerblades to ride around the beach and seawall. Grab a coffee and sit and people watch.
158 locals recommend
English Bay
158 locals recommend
If you are in town for the fireworks, this is the place to be. Rent a bike or rollerblades to ride around the beach and seawall. Grab a coffee and sit and people watch.
Kits beach has a very nice playground by the beach for the kids. Volleyball tournaments here in the summer. Good restaurant here. Tennis Courts, Outdoor swimming pool. Parking is difficult. Kids can just play in the sand or water collect shells.
847 locals recommend
Kitsilano Beach Park
1499 Arbutus St
847 locals recommend
Kits beach has a very nice playground by the beach for the kids. Volleyball tournaments here in the summer. Good restaurant here. Tennis Courts, Outdoor swimming pool. Parking is difficult. Kids can just play in the sand or water collect shells.
Great for a walk or jog along the path. Great for a bike ride. Play in the sand or water. Have a bbq at the beach. Set up a volleyball net. Dog park on the most west side of the beach
264 locals recommend
Spanish Banks
264 locals recommend
Great for a walk or jog along the path. Great for a bike ride. Play in the sand or water. Have a bbq at the beach. Set up a volleyball net. Dog park on the most west side of the beach
Great for family bbqs, birthday parties at the beach. Volleyball, soccer, beach activities. There is a concession stand and washrooms and showers at the beaches. You can also take sailing lessons or windsurfing lessons. Watch people go crabbing off the dock.
337 locals recommend
Jericho Beach Park
3941 Point Grey Rd
337 locals recommend
Great for family bbqs, birthday parties at the beach. Volleyball, soccer, beach activities. There is a concession stand and washrooms and showers at the beaches. You can also take sailing lessons or windsurfing lessons. Watch people go crabbing off the dock.
This beach has the outdoor pool, great for all ages. Also has a concession stand, and 2 great playgrounds for young kids and old. Many people come here with families to bbq. People watch. Ride bikes and rollerblade on the path. Many festivals happen throughout the summer at this park.
102 locals recommend
Second Beach Swimming Pool
735 Stanley Park Dr
102 locals recommend
This beach has the outdoor pool, great for all ages. Also has a concession stand, and 2 great playgrounds for young kids and old. Many people come here with families to bbq. People watch. Ride bikes and rollerblade on the path. Many festivals happen throughout the summer at this park.
This beach is close to the Tea House Restaurant. Can get here by car. There is a large parking lot. or you can ride your bike or walk along the seawall to get to this third beach.
192 locals recommend
Third Beach
192 locals recommend
This beach is close to the Tea House Restaurant. Can get here by car. There is a large parking lot. or you can ride your bike or walk along the seawall to get to this third beach.
There are 2 parts to this garden. This part is the part that you pay to get in. BC Seniors 3rd Wednesday of month. It is also 1/2 price last 30 min of each day. The park part next to the garden is free and is fairly similar. Located in Chinatown
221 locals recommend
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St
221 locals recommend
There are 2 parts to this garden. This part is the part that you pay to get in. BC Seniors 3rd Wednesday of month. It is also 1/2 price last 30 min of each day. The park part next to the garden is free and is fairly similar. Located in Chinatown
This is the free section of the garden. Worth a visit if you are in Chinatown.
221 locals recommend
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall St
221 locals recommend
This is the free section of the garden. Worth a visit if you are in Chinatown.
Nice lake to walk around.
22 locals recommend
Rice Lake
22 locals recommend
Nice lake to walk around.
One of Vancouver's largest and most famous parks. Good views of downtown. Many weddings happen here. There is a Bloedel Conservatory here. Beautiful garden in the centre of the park. Also tennis courts, pitch and putt on the park. Wonderful restaurant at the park as well.
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie St
830 locals recommend
One of Vancouver's largest and most famous parks. Good views of downtown. Many weddings happen here. There is a Bloedel Conservatory here. Beautiful garden in the centre of the park. Also tennis courts, pitch and putt on the park. Wonderful restaurant at the park as well.
Located in Squamish. It is a 3 hour hike up to the chief. but you don't have to do the whole thing. There is now a new gondola to take you up there. Make sure to wear hiking shoes.
132 locals recommend
Stawamus Chief
132 locals recommend
Located in Squamish. It is a 3 hour hike up to the chief. but you don't have to do the whole thing. There is now a new gondola to take you up there. Make sure to wear hiking shoes.

Entertainment & Activities

If you like horse races, this is the place to come.
38 locals recommend
Hastings Park Racecourse
188 N Renfrew St
38 locals recommend
If you like horse races, this is the place to come.
The observatory is open saturday evenings 8pm -midnight by donation. Can see the stars.
60 locals recommend
HR MacMillan Space Centre
1100 Chestnut St
60 locals recommend
The observatory is open saturday evenings 8pm -midnight by donation. Can see the stars.